News

LEAGUE CITY, Texas  After playing an eight-inning, extra inning game on Saturday night with Team USA, the Texas Thunder went 11 innings with the National Team before falling 2-1.

The game started out promising for the hometown Thunder, as they jumped out to a 1-0 lead after the first inning. Texas got on the board after Kristen Zaleski singled to start the game and she came around to score on a sacrifice fly to left field by Clare Burnum.

The lead for Texas would last until the third inning. Team USA tied the game in the third after Natasha Watley reached first on a throwing error by starting pitcher Serena Settlemier. She advanced to second on the play and she came in to score on an RBI from Stacy Nuveman.

The teams would play the next seven innings scoreless before Team USA would score the deciding second run in the top of the 11th inning. With Caitlin Lowe on base because of the International Tie Breaker Rule, Nuveman would knock her in on an infield single. The second run scoring hit from Nuveman didn't even make it out of the infield.

Pitching was again the story on Sunday afternoon for both clubs.

Settlemier threw the first six innings in the game and allowed just four hits. She didn't allow an earned run in the game and she struck out three. Christa Williams (9-6) took the loss in the game for the second straight game. The two-time Olympic Gold Medallist went the final five innings and allowed just the Nuveman hit in the game.

Alicia Hollowell and Cat Osterman did the work in the circle for Team USA on Sunday afternoon. Hollowell allowed two hits and the only run of the game the Thunder would score in five innings of work. She was relieved by Cat Osterman in the circle. Osterman went six innings and didn't allow a hit. She struck out eight in the game and 24 on the weekend.

The loss dropped the Thunder to 16-20 on the season with just 12 games remaining. Texas has five games at home, including tomorrow's game with Team USA, and eight on the road. They currently sit four full games out of the final playoff spot behind the Akron Racers.

Texas will begin a four-game road trip with the Racers on Wednesday night in Akron, Ohio. The teams will play a four-game series that will take them through next Saturday.

For more information on the Texas Thunder or to purchase tickets, contact Aaron M. Moore, general manager, at (281) 403-2475 or amoore@thunderprofastpitch.com. Additional information is available on the team by visiting www.thunderprofastpitch.com. Special group packages are also available by calling the Thunder office.